Customarily, our church kids are in Children’s Church throughout our services. This Sunday was a little different as they were preparing to minister a drama learned at our annual VBS. From the beginning of the service I noticed an adorable little girl (I later learned she was 2 years old) on the front row in a pink dress just dancing and praising her little heart out. With each song she danced a little harder. At one point she just abandoned the norm and danced her little self to the front of the stage. Her mom took a few steps forward and pulled her back to the front pew. She glanced up at her mom as if she had been rudely interrupted and went back to dancing. When I saw both the little girl and her mother the Holy Spirit quickened me and reminded me of Matthew 19:14 as Jesus states, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” If you pay attention to the Bible you’ll find Jesus has a soft spot for children and widows (side note: there are nearly 30 scriptures that speak to this fact). Children tend to be a more pure, untainted form of mankind. They don’t recognize man-made boundaries or limitations. Those are taught. They are simply living in the moment and what you perceive is raw feelings and emotions. I had a front row seat to watch a session of unashamed worship to the Lord. That little girl blessed me as she worshipped with abandonment; but I felt convicted as well as I feel her praise most likely outshone my own.
If you will take a moment and read 2 Samuel chapter 6 you will find the story of King David and the Ark of the Covenant. He was so wrapped up in his praise to the Master he became undignified in his actions. With every 6 steps a bull and fattened calf were sacrificed as he danced praising and worshipping God with all His might. When he arrived home dancing in (what would now be considered) his underwear his wife Michal despises him for it. She was ashamed of his actions and failed to realize the importance of that holy moment. She was more worried about public perception rather than joining in the praise party. Like Michal, the world doesn’t understand our praise so they attempt to silence it. It’s time we Christian’s become like David (and that little girl from my church) by refusing to be silenced! He’s been too good not to praise Him!! We can be stripped of everything we hold dear but they CAN’T TAKE OUR PRAISE!!! “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord; praise ye the Lord!” Ps. 150:6
Closing remarks and encouragement: It might be time to dance in your underwear. Well, do that at home in private. But, here’s my point–we have to stop worrying about how we’re being perceived and just praise the King of kings and Lord of lords! Let the world sit in judgment of our actions. We can sit back with a smile on our face knowing one day EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Don’t lose your praise!
Have a blessed week, my friends!